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First up, I have to apologize for being a bad blogger. I have been a very busy girl and looking at how long it has been since my last post actually makes me feel guilty and somehow less likely to post.

I spent the past week and a half in Kentucky for some rock climbing, but the climbing isn’t really what has been on my mind since returning. What has been on my mind is the desire to ride my bicycle everywhere and put solar panels on my roof.

We made the same trip last spring. I was prepared to see some signs of coal mining, but I was not prepared to see a lot of oil drilling. In Cattlesburg, KY there is a huge refinery that we refer to as Mt Doom. (You can find a picture here) We drove by it in the dark this year and last and its really an impressive sight. I also wasn’t ready to be climbing among oil wells that where actively pumping oil out of the ground. I try and remind myself that domestic oil is better then foreign oil, but it still really made me think.

This year we drove back a slightly different way. I got to see piles of coal, and smoke stacks billowing out whatever it is that billows out of smoke stacks at power plants and oil refineries. I’m sorry I didn’t have my camera out to take pictures with because it really did make me think. I needed the kick in the pants to remind me what it costs to drive to all the places I climb, and to run my computer, TV, and electric tooth brush.

Living in New England I’m generally not exposed to these things. I needed that reminder to keep me motivated to try and streamline my shopping trips, carpool, ride my bike and make sure that unneeded lights are turned off (I do feel like I walk around our house constantly turning off lights.) One day I will live in a house that has at least some of its power coming from solar and/or wind power. I would also like to try and live on our boat for one year as a bit of an experiment and lesson in living with less.